Cap-opening tool.



W. R. BEARCE & R. J. JONES.

CAP OPENING TOOL.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 14. I916.

Patented Jan. 2, 1917.

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WILSON R. BEARCE AND REES J. JONES; OF SA'WTELLE, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOBS OF ONE-THIRD TO FRANCESCO HAMMOND, OF CASEY, ILLINOIS.

CAP-OPENING TOOL.

Application filed March 14, 1916.

To all whom z't nmyconccrn:

Be it known that we, lViLson R. BnAnon and Runs J. Jonas, citizens of the United States, residing at Sawtelle, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cap-Opening Tools, of which the following is alspecification.

This invention relates to an improvement in kitchen-utensils, and has special reference to a novel cap opening tool involving a novel and practical handle construction.

Primarily, the invention has in view a cap opening tool including a handle that will provide a rigid and firm hand grip while at the same time being of such a character that it may be constructed to subserve more than one function, thus giving: it a wide range of utility for domestic purposes. That is to say, the invention contemplates a novel metal handle construction that is especially adapted to be used in connection with devices in which a lateralcontraction is required, as for instance, jar top wrenches for modern screw top jars, which willbe able to withstand severe compression without bending, and which will also evenly distribute the hand grip pressure to the ends of the contractible members to which the handle members are attached.

A further object of the invention is to provide a simple and substantial-metalhandle that is particularly .adaptedto be used in a tool for removing tops on caps from both screw top jars and cans and which can be cheaply manufactured and easily kept in a sanitary condition, thus enhancing its practical and economic value.

With the above and other objects in view which will more readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated, and

claimed.

A. preferred and practical embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whichv Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved handle construction showing one of its applications. Fig. 2 is a top plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is a side elevation. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section on the line H of Fi 2.

gimilar reference characters designate Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 2, 1917.

Serial No. 84,186.

corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

In carrying out the present invention, it is proposed to provide a cap opening tool which preferably includes the handle members H connected by a contractible band A, one of said-handle members being of special construction, whereby in addition to facilitating the removal of screw caps, it may be adapted to remove can caps or the like. Accordingly, to this end, it is preferred to employ a metal strip of flat cross section which may be formed into such shape that any tendency thereof to bend or give under hand pressure in any direction'is practically obviated. Thus, as will be observed from the drawings, one of the handles H essentially includes in its organization a body strip B, which is doubled upon itself to form a rounded head portion 1 and the convergently related side arm portions 2 and 3 which terminate in oppositely disposed attaching feet 4 and This construction provides an open or looped handle member, which may be readily attached by means of suitable fastening elements 6 to any desired kitchen utensil, such for instance, as a. contractible jar cover embracing ring A. Owing to the converging re lat-ion of the arms 2 and 3, and the relative disposition of the attaching feet 4 and thereof, it will be-apparent that hand pressure in a lateral direction onthe handle member will have a tendency tocause the foot 5 to exert a pushing force on the edge of the jar embracing ring while; the foot & will exert a pulling tendency, thereby evenly distributing the hand grip pressure throughout the ring. Furthermore, owing to the convergent relation of the arms 2 and 3 any tendency of the arm 2 to yield or give under pressure will be counteracted by the arm 3 and vice versa. This construction is particularly advantageous in that it provides for the utilization of other reinforcing means for the arms 2 and 3. That is to say, as will be observed more particularly from Figs. 1 and 2, a reinforcing member designated generally as 8 may be placed within the looped portion of the handle. This member preferably comprises an enlarged open head portion or loop L adapted to snugly fit within the closed end 1 of the handle member, and has the rearwardly extending shank members 9 which are contracted at their intermediate portion 10 to provide for rigidly holding a can opener blade 11 by means of the fastening elements 12. i

The head portion of the reinforcing member 8 is preferably rigidly riveted or other wise secured to the closed end of the handle member as indicated at 9*, While the extremities of the shank members 9 are also connected with the arms 2 and 3 by means of a transverse rivet or bolt 9". Therefore, in addition to providing increased rigidity and stifiness to the body strip of the handle, the reinforcing member 8 constitutes a base for holding the can opener blade 11, the cutting edge of which is spaced from one side edge of the body strip as shown in Figs. 3

"and 4:, so that the bottom edge 1 of the rounded head portion will act as a fulcrum on which to operate the cutter blade. With this arrangement of the blade, the cutting edge thereof is protected so that the hand of the user will not be in danger in gripping the handle.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present invention provides a handle construction having at one end contractible means for engaging a screw jar top and cutting means at the other for opening caps of tin cans and the like, thus increasing the serviceability of the tool without complication.

Without further description, it is thought that the many features of the present invention will be readily apparent, and it will also be understood, that various changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1."A metal handle construction for cap opening tools comprising a body strip doubled upon itself to provide a rounded end portion and convergently related side arm portions, oppositely disposed attaching feet formed at the ends of said side arm portions, and a reinforcing member interposed between the side arm portions and adjacent the rounded end portion of the body strip.

2. A metal handle construction for cap opening tools comprising a body strip dou-- bled uponitself to provide a rounded end portion and convergently related side arm portions, oppositely disposed attaching feet formed at the ends of said side arm portions, and a reinforcing member comprising an enlarged open head adapted to fit snugly inside the rounded end portion of the body strip, and having rearwardly extending shank of the body strip.

3. A metal handle construction for cap opening tools comprising a body strip doubled upon itself to provide a rounded head portion, and convergently related side arm members, oppositely disposed attaching members formed at the end of each side arm member, and a reinforcing member includ- IL ON R. BEAR 1 REES J.JONE S.

Witnesses:

H. L. SHARRER, CHAS. NEWLAND.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents .each, by addressing the .Gommissionerpf Eatents,

Washington, D; G.

60 members lying between the side arm portions 

